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Although it is sometimes claimed that consuming caffeine at high levels does not cause insomnia, statistical evidence shows that it does. Study after study has found that people with high levels of caffeine consumption from beverages such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks are far more likely to suffer from insomnia than people who consume little or no caffeine.
Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
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| Although it is sometimes claimed that consuming caffeine at high levels does not cause insomnia, statistical evidence shows that it does. |
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| Study after study has found that people with high levels of caffeine consumption from beverages such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks are far more likely to suffer from insomnia than people who consume little or no caffeine. |
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The argument starts by acknowledging an opposing view (caffeine doesn't cause insomnia) but immediately counters it with statistical evidence. It then supports this counter-claim with research findings showing a clear correlation between high caffeine consumption and insomnia rates.
High levels of caffeine consumption do cause insomnia, contrary to what some people claim.
The author uses statistical evidence and multiple studies as premises to prove that caffeine causes insomnia. The logic assumes that the correlation found in studies (high caffeine users have more insomnia) proves causation (caffeine causes the insomnia).
Assumption - We need to find what the argument must assume to be true for the conclusion to hold. This is about identifying unstated premises that are essential for the logic to work.
The argument makes a causal claim (high caffeine CAUSES insomnia) based on correlational evidence (high caffeine users are MORE LIKELY to have insomnia). The precision involves the leap from correlation to causation.
To find assumptions, we need to look for ways the conclusion could be false while keeping the facts intact. The key gap here is: the studies show correlation (high caffeine users have more insomnia), but the author concludes causation (caffeine causes insomnia). We need to identify what must be true for this correlation-to-causation jump to be valid.